Antonio G. Camacho

Gravity inversion by means of growing bodies

This paper presents a gravity inversion method for determining the volumes of bodies with pre‐established density contrasts. The method works step‐by‐step on a prismatic partition of the subsurface volume, expanding the anomalous bodies to fit the observed gravity values in a systematic exploration of model possibilities. The process is treated in a 3-D context; at the same time, it can determine a simple regional trend. Moreover, positive and negative density contrasts are simultaneously accepted. The solution is obtained by a double condition: (1) the 𝓁2-fitness to the observed gravity data (model fitness) and (2) the minimization of the total (weighted) anomalous mass (model smoothness). A positive parameter is used to balance the two minimization terms. The method is applied to a simulated example and also to a real example: the volcanic island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). In both cases, the results obtained show the possibilities of the method.

Internal structure of Tenerife (Canary Islands) based on gravity, aeromagnetic and volcanological data

Abstract Gravity and magnetic methods have been applied to the Tenerife Island, to provide new information about its internal structure. For this study, 365 gravity stations covering the central part of the island have been selected. The anomalous density maps at different depths were obtained by means of an inversion global adjustment, on fixed density contrast, to describe the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the anomalous bodies. On the other hand, several analysis techniques, such as reduction to the pole, spectral analysis, low-pass filtering, terrain correction and forward modelling, were applied to process the high-resolution data obtained in an aeromagnetic survey, completed with marine and terrestrial data. The joint analysis of gravity and magnetic anomalies has shown tectonic and volcanic features that define some fundamental aspects of the structural framework and volcanic evolution of the island. A strong gravity anomaly produced by a large and deep source has been associated with an uplifted block of the basement beneath the southern part of Tenerife. The sources of the observed gravity highs from 8xa0km b.s.l. may be associated with the growth of the submarine shield stage that was clearly controlled by regional tectonic. The long-wavelength magnetic anomalies reveal highly magnetic sources, interpreted as gabbro-ultramafic cumulates associated with the root zone of a large dyke swarm. This intrusive body could be topped by the emplacement zone of magma chambers that correlate with a magnetic horizon at 5.7±0.8 km depth. Rooted in this highly magnetic zone, two dike–like structures can be associated with the magmatic feeding system of large recent basaltic volcanoes. A shallow magnetic horizon (1.4xa0km a.s.l.) can be correlated with the bottom phonolites of the Las Canadas Edifice. In the central part of the island the coincidence of some gravity and magnetic lows is consistent with the presence of low-density and low-magnetic materials, that infill a collapsed caldera system. The structures close to the surface are characterised by low-density areas connected with the recent volcanism, in particular the minimum over the Teide volcano. Hydrothermal alteration is assumed to be the cause of a short-wavelength magnetic low over the Teide volcano.

A 3-D gravity inversion tool based on exploration of model possibilities

A computational tool for the development and implementation of a recently published method of 3-D (three dimensional) inversion for gravity data is presented. This method seeks to determine the geometry of an indefinite number of anomalous bodies with prescribed (fixed or variable) density contrasts, positive and negative values being indiscriminately accepted in the model. The approach is based on a prismatic partition of the subsurface and attempts to determine the anomalous bodies by means of a growth sequence, analysing (systematically or randomly) the several model possibilities and from that choosing the best for the growth progress. Moreover, a regional trend for the gravity data can be simultaneously adjusted. The non-uniqueness of the gravity inversion is avoided by means of a mixed condition about the residuals and the whole body anomalous mass. This inversion method has been applied with good results to simulation tests and to several real examples. Here, we present a main program that realises the inversion according to several possibilities for general application (scale of the survey, fixed or variable density contrasts, optional smoothing, optional trend adjustment, systematic or random exploration, optional a priori information, weighting, etc.). This program is presented along with a previous program for selection of unknowns and parameters and another program for visual presentation of the results. All three programs are written in Fortran 77 and completes the inversion tool.

Gravity-driven deformation of Tenerife measured by InSAR time series analysis

[1]xa0We study the state of deformation of Tenerife (Canary Islands) using Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR). We apply the Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) DInSAR algorithm to radar images acquired from 1992 to 2005 by the ERS sensors to determine the deformation rate distribution and the time series for the coherent pixels identified in the island. Our analysis reveals that the summit area of the volcanic edifice is characterized by a rather continuous subsidence extending well beyond Las Canadas caldera rim and corresponding to the dense core of the island. These results, coupled with GPS ones, structural and geological information and deformation modeling, suggest an interpretation based on the gravitational sinking of the dense core of the island into a weak lithosphere and that the volcanic edifice is in a state of compression. We also detect more localized deformation patterns correlated with water table changes and variations in the deformation time series associated with the seismic crisis in 2004.

Simultaneous inversion of surface deformation and gravity changes by means of extended bodies with a free geometry: Application to deforming calderas

[1]xa0Changes in gravity and/or surface deformation are often associated with volcanic activity. Usually, bodies with simple geometry (e.g., point sources, prolate or oblate spheroids) are used to model these signals considering anomalous mass and/or pressure variations. We present a new method for the simultaneous, nonlinear inversion of gravity changes and surface deformation using bodies with a free geometry. Assuming simple homogenous elastic conditions, the method determines a general geometrical configuration of pressure and density sources. These sources are described as an aggregate of pressure and density point sources, fitting the whole data set (given some regularity conditions). The approach works in a growth step-by-step process that allows us to build very general geometrical configurations. The methodology is validated against an ellipsoidal body with anomalous pressure and a parallelepiped body with anomalous density, buried in an elastic medium. The simultaneous inversion of deformation and gravity values permits a good reconstruction of the assumed bodies. Finally, the inversion method is applied to the interpretation of gravity, leveling, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data from the volcanic area of Campi Flegrei (Italy) for the period 1992–2000. For this period, a model with no significant mass change and an extended decreasing pressure region satisfactorily fits the data. The pressure source is located at about ∼1500 m depth, and it is interpreted as corresponding to the dynamics of the shallow (depth 1–2 km) hydrothermal system confined to the caldera fill materials.

Microgravimetric model of the Las Cañadas caldera (Tenerife)

Abstract An approximative method to obtain inner mass distributions starting only from gravimetric data and topographic chart digitalization is described. Roughly, the sensitive subsoil volume is divided into a suitable cell partition of equally determinable regular blocks. Then, the gravimetric effect for unit density for each cell on each surface point is determined. A global least-squares adjustment for every cell and every regular gravimetric point is carried out in order to derive the anomalous density values for each block, and, finally, by using local polynomial approximation, a continuous structural model from the discrete “cubist” solution is performed. A volcanic caldera structure, the known caldera of Las Canadas, has been gravimetrically observed. In this paper we present the methodology we have developed to analyze the measured gravimetric data and show the results corresponding to the inner mass density distribution for this volcanic structure.

Spatiotemporal analysis and interpretation of 1993–2013 ground deformation at Campi Flegrei, Italy, observed by advanced DInSAR

Campi Flegrei is one of the most hazardous volcanic areas in the world because of its close proximity to the city of Naples. Here we apply the multidimensional small baseline subset (MSBAS) differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) technique to obtain vertical and horizontal components of ground deformation for Campi Flegrei at high spatial and temporal resolutions that span, for the first time, 20 years. The area underwent continuous subsidence from 1993 through 1999. Moderate uplift began in 2010 and substantially increased through 2012, reaching approximately 13u2009cm by 2013. We model the observed deformation to determine source parameters for subsidence and uplift epochs. Both the inflation and deflation mechanisms involve large, extended sources in a layered hydrothermal system whose location is controlled by the caldera structure and stratigraphy. The temporal resolution of MSBAS approaches that of GPS daily time series, with superior precision and spatial resolution, making it an excellent alternative for volcano monitoring.

Modeling the density at Merapi volcano area, Indonesia, via the inverse gravimetric problem

[1]xa0Merapi is a high-risk andesitic volcano in Central Java, Indonesia. Very little information is known about the detailed regional density structure around Merapi and its neighbor volcano Merbabu. We compute a subsurface three-dimensional (3-D) model of anomalous density for the volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu in Central Java, Indonesia, by inversion of the gravity field. As input for the inversion methodology, gravity observations from 443 points, whose 3-D coordinates are determined by GPS, are used. The inversion algorithm is based on an explorative approach to fit a least squares condition, including a balancing factor between the minimization of the residuals and the anomalous mass. A mean density about 2242 kg/m3 for the region of Merapi and Merbabu has been computed by least squares adjustment. Results of the inversion show major low-density contrasts up to −242 kg/m3 and positive structures about +264 kg/m3, referred to the determined mean density. A density anomaly (relative high) with densities up to +264 kg/m3 is connecting the volcanoes in a 152° course from NW to SE and might be built of older basaltic lava. Low-density contrasts about −242 kg/m could be found in agreement with magnetotelluric and electromagnetic results. Generally, the identified high- and low-density bodies are in agreement with the results of other geophysical methods such as electromagnetic and magnetotelluric prospecting or geological formations and structures. A porosity about 21% is derived for the largest negative density bodies about −242 kg/m3. Furthermore, the density model gives some new information about the controversial origin of a hill formation near Merapi and is also used to discuss the possible existence of a shallow magma chamber, which is also a controversial subject. Generally, the density model serves as basic information for the interpretation of geodetic and geophysical observations and confirms existing results from magnetotellurics, electromagnetics, and seismic data interpretation.

The 3-D gravity inversion package GROWTH2.0 and its application to Tenerife Island, Spain

We present the gravity inversion software GROWTH2.0 and its application to recently obtained gravity data from the volcanic island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) to inform on its subsurface density structure. GROWTH2.0 is an inversion tool which enables the user to obtain, in a nearly automatic and nonsubjective mode, a 3D model of the subsurface density anomalies based on observed gravity anomaly data. The package is composed of three parts: (a) GRID3D to generate a 3D partition of the subsurface volume into parallelepiped elements, (b) GROWTH to perform the inversion routine and to obtain a 3D anomalous density model, and (c) VIEW for visual representation of the input data, the inversion model, and modeling residuals. The current version of the tool has been developed from an earlier code (Camacho et al., 2002) and now incorporates several novelties: (1) a Graphical User Interface (GUI), (2) an optional automated routine for determination of parameter @l, which controls the balance between model fitness and smoothness, (3) optional determination of values for minimum density contrast, (4) a robust handling of outlier data, and (5) improved automated data reduction for terrain effects based on anticorrelation with topographic data. The new capabilities and applicability of GROWTH2.0 for 3-D gravity inversion are demonstrated by a case example using new gravity data from the volcanic island of Tenerife. In a nearly automatic approach, the software provides a 3-D model informing on the location and shape of the main structural building blocks of the island. Our model results allow us to shed light on the low-density structure of the islands dominant Pico Viejo-Pico Teide (PV-PT) volcanic complex and the identification of an intrusive structure (the east bulge volcano) embedded in Teides east flank. A low-density body located at around 5.8km depth beneath PTs summit may represent a current magma or hybrid reservoir.

Structural results for La Palma island using 3‐D gravity inversion

[1]xa0A recent gravity survey composed of 317 bench marks all over the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) is used, in combination with satellite data for regional aspects, to obtain results about structural properties of the island connected with the tectonic environment and local volcanism. To that end, a nonlinear three-dimensional gravity inversion approach is considered. The inversion scheme provides, in a nonsubjective form, the geometry of the anomalous bodies constructed in a random growth process. Results from the inversion can be interpreted in the framework of the geologic evolution of this ocean island volcano as a complex composite volcano with a large central body with high-density corresponding to the older intrusive part of the basalt complex. New unexpected features are enlightened, such as large thermal anomalies in the upper mantle southward of La Palma, as well as fracture en echelon zones associable to a slow active process of dislocation related to the recent volcanism in the southern half of the island. The results obtained for La Palma as a test site testify to the usefulness of the developed gravity inversion methodology for structural studies on islands in general.